My brother and I (two old guys) are looking for lots of help to fish Sam Rayburn. We mostly fish saltwater but have fished Fayette reservoir near LaGrange for a couple years now. Big Sam looks really BIG and is overwhelming if not familiar with the area. We would likely hire a guide for the first day then fish a few days with our boat after getting info from the guide. So we need ideas for #1 Best part of the lake to bass fish, 2-good guide for that area, 3-how soon can we get started fishing, 4-good place to stay nearby with decent eating places.

Plenty of guides on the lake. I would prolly get that secured first. During the week has alot more places to stay.

South End of the lake has the Stump, Burger Depot & Tia Juanita's Fish Camp for food. as well as a donut store.

Checkout Ken Smith videos,

it definitely helped us on our first trip to Big Sam last year - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5vyFnUPF8eCJSRW8M3a1qg

Just heard from Tyler weather man the Corps is releasing massive amounts of water in an attempt to bring the reservoir level into a manageable range.... I've always been told falling water levels makes the largemouth skiddish.
Just info.

All I heard is 24hr generation. Not massive amounts

15516 CFS plus both generations running 24 hrs. Better than nothing! Over a million gallons per second..

They are increasing the release daily. It was 13k something a few days ago and 14k yesterday. Plus the 24hr generating

I believe that�s around 116,000 per second.

Your right I was doing it in my head.. dang got off a decimal.. lol sorry

CFS x 7.48 if my mind servers me? Correct me if I�m wrong. Been a long time since college lol

All good man. Not chunking rocks just helping you out. That would be a heck of a flood down stream.

Second the Ken Smith recommendation - he's got a lot of good vids on local hammers plus some navigation info and fishing/tournament reports as well.

The first thing I'd do is to break the lake into sections. If you've fished saltwater on places like Trinity Bay then Rayburn is MUCH smaller and less intimidating in my opinion. For years I've fished the north area of the lake and have stayed at Shirley Creek Marina. No restaurant there so you'd have to bring your own food but they have a decent dock for the boat and nice cabins. This November we stayed on the south end of the lake at Powell Park and really liked it. Nice cabins and they have a restaurant that serves an awesome burger. (and breakfast). I've not used him but have heard good things about Will Kirkpatrick- https://www.fishingenet.net/
He seems to be an old time bass fisherman extremely tuned into the lake.

Guide wise, Clark Reehm and Stephen Johnston are about as good as it gets out there.

When are you planning on making the trip? If possible I would hold off until more ramps open up just so it's easier.